Human Rights Defenders Forum

The Carter Center participates in hosting Human Rights Defenders Policy Forums, which bring together human rights activists from a number of countries. President and Mrs. Carter, the U. N. high commissioner for human rights, and the special representative on human rights defenders have keynoted these conferences.

The next forum will be held at the Center in May 2017 to discuss ways to end violence in all its forms.

Human rights defenders are facing intensifying obstacles as governments in many countries clamp down on public debate and activism. This year's forum, "Freedom from Fear: Securing Rights in Challenging Times," will highlight the experiences of the courageous women and men on the front lines of this fight in the wake of rising authoritarianism. Learn more >